Fountain pen



May 12, 1925.

1,537,806 J. J. DEVINE v FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Aug. 6. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' 1 0 H J I H {H h Z g ATTORNEY. i I

Patented May 12, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN TJ. swim, or MIDDLETdWNn ooNNEorIoo'r.

FOUNTAIN 'IPEN.

Application filed. August 6, 1924. SeriaI Noi 730,469. a

To all whom it may concern;

Beitknown that I, J OHN J. DEVINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of'llliddlesexand State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain Pens, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fountain pen of the illuminable type and has for its obj set to provide a pen of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with means to provide for the convenient refilling of the pen and further with means to provide for the illumination of the writing surface at and surrounding the writing point when occasion requires. I

A further object of the invention is "to provide a pen of such class, in a manner as hereinafter referredto, capable of having the elementthereof conveniently assembled and disassembled whendesired, as well as to enable the convenientreplacing of an element when one becomes damaged, and furthermore to provide a, fountain pen structureiwhich is unusually comfortable to hold when using it and further a structure that when held does not feel thick or cumbersome. V l A further objectof the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a fountain pen of the illuminable type having means for maintaining the light source circuit open when the pen isused during the day.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pen of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, with a filling attachment to enable the( convenient refilling of the pen withoutso-iling the fingers.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner-as hereinafter set forth,

a fountain pen of the class referred to, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient and convenient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consistsof the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more-specifically described and illustrated in the accompaliying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resortedto which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

v In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a fountain pen in accordance with this invention and further illustrating the protecting cap for the penpoint.

FigureQ is a longitudinal sectional view of the pen showing the adaptation therewith I of a filling attachment. v

Figure3 is a section on line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4c is a section on line lfl, Figurea c i. c

Figure 5 is crosssectional view of the pen withthe filling reservoir compressed.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 2 a Figure 7 is'a longitudinal sectional View, broken away, o-f certain of the elements of the pen disassembled and further with one of the'elernents in side elevation. V

Figure 8 is a front view of the lamp and the shiftable holder therefor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the body portion of the pen is cylindrical in contour and open at each end, and said body portion comprises an intermediate part 1,' a rear end part 2 and a forward end part 3.

The intermediate part 1 is ofless diameter than the'end parts 2,3, and the latter is of greater diameter than the end part 2. The

body portion is constructed from conducting material and is unitary. The forward terminus of the intermediate part 1 has projecting therefrom'a laterally'ext-ending forwardly inclined annular flange 4, which merges into the rear terminus of the end part. 3. The intermediate part 1, at its rear, terminus, has

projecting outwardly therefrom a laterally extending and rearwarc'lly inclined flange 5 of less diameter than the flange sl, and the said flange 5 merges into the forward terminus of the end'part 2. 1

The flange 5 forms, a shoulder 6 against which is adapted to abut a peripherally threaded flanged closure cap 7 for the rear end of the body portion of the pen. The

rear end part 2 is interiorly threaded and,

engaging with such threads are the threads of the cap 7. The flange ofthe cap 7 is indicated. at 8 andabuts against the rear edge of the body portion'o-f the pe1rwhen the cap 7 abuts against the shoulder 6.

The forward end part 3 has its inner face for a portion of its length interiorly threaded, as at 9, and said threads start at the point of joinder of the flange 4 with the forward end part 3. Centrally of the forward end part 3, a circular opening 10 is provided for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to, and the said threads 9 terminate at a point removed from said opening 10. F orwardly of the opening 10, the forward end part 3 is offset to provide a laterally extending annular reinforcing bead 11 and which is positioned at a point centrally between the opening 10 and the forward end of the body portion 1.

Arranged within the intermediate part 1 is a battery 12 which has its forward end projecting into the flangedportion 4, and said battery 12 extends to the rear terminus of the forward end part 3. The battery 12, at its rear end, extends into the cap 7 and one terminal of the battery 12 is indicated at 13, which is engaged by the cap 7, as shown in Figure 3.

Extending into and adjustably engaging with the forward end part 3 of the body portion of the pen, is a carrier comprising a cylindrical portion 14 and a colloidal-shaped portion 15 projecting from the portion 14. The cylindrical portion 14 is of greater length than the conoidal-shaped portion 15 and has fixedly secured therein, near the rear thereof, a resilient retaining member 16 of segmental contour. The member 16 is formed from a strap of spring metal bent to provide a segmental portion terminating in a pair of oppositely extending opposed spaced inwardlyprojecting flanges 17. The purpose for which the member 16 is used will be presently referred to.

Rearwardly of the member .16, the cylindrical portion 14 is provided with peripheral threads 19. The cylindrical portion 14, opposite that part to which the member 16 is secured, is cut away to provide a substantially enlarged opening 20, which extends from a point removed forwardly of the member 16 and terminates at the forward terminus of the threads 18. The threads 19 project forwardly of the threads 18.

Formed integral with the portion 14 and arranged over the rear end ofthe member 16 is an inwardly extending segment-shaped lug 21, and the function of which will be presently referred to.

Arranged within the carrier axially thereof and extending from the forward terminal portion of the cylindrical portion 14, as well as extending through and projecting forwardly from the conoidal-shaped portion '15, is a cylindrical tube 22 of materially less diameter than the diameter of the carrier. Formed integral with the periphery of the tube 22, near the rear end thereof, is a series of radially disposed holding arms 23, which extend to and are formed integral with the inner face of the carrier. The arms 23 are arranged atthe point of joinder between the portions 14 and 15.

Mounted in the member 16 is a lamp holder comprising a body portion formed of a segmental portion 25, having projecting from its top a semi-cylindrical portion 26 formed at its rear with a vertically extending arm 27 of a height to extend above the lower portion of the lug 21, rearwardly thereof. The portion 26 of the lamp holder gradually inclines from its forward to its rear end, and the body portion of the lamp holder is formed with a lengthwiseextending opening 28 having the wall thereof threaded, as at 29, and said opening 28 provides a socket for the threaded plug 30, of the lamp 31, and when the latter is connected to the holder it extends forwardly thereof. The plug 30 projects rearwardly from the holder, as indicated at 31. The socket for the reception of the plug 30 of the lamp is arranged in the segmental and semi-cylindrical portions of the holder.

The width of the portion 26 of the holder is less than the width of the portion 25 and said portion 26 is so disposed whereby the portion. 25 will project laterally therefrom. lVhen the holder is mounted in position, the portion 25 thereof is overlapped by the flanges 17 and the said flanges 17, in connection with the portion 26, provide a support for an ink reservoir to be presently referred to. lVhen the lamp holder is mounted in position the arm 27 thereof is, positioned rearwardly of the lug 21. See Figure 2. I

The lower portion of the arm 27 is enlarged, as at 27 to abut against the rear ends of the flanges 17 to prevent forward shifting of the body portion of the holder.

The lamp holder includes a controlling spring which functions to maintain the arm 27 against the lug 21 so that the plug 30 of the lamp will be held away from the battery 12. The controlling spring is indicated at 32, is secured to and projects from a washer of insulation 33, by way of example, hard rubber, and said spring 32 projects towards the forward end of the battery 12, and is engaged therewith. See Figure 2.

The lamp holder is shifted against the action of its controlling spring 32, by adjusting the carrier inwardly within the forward end part 3 of the body portion to an extent so that the projecting rear end 31 of the plug 30 will engage the terminal 34 of the battery thereby closing the lamp circuit. When the carrier is adjusted inwardly, the lug 21 engages the arm 27 of the lamp holder, whereby the latter is shifted towards the terminal 34 by the inward movement of the carrier.

The ink reservoir is indicated at 35 and is arranged within the carrier and mounted uponthe lamp ,holder. The ink reservoir is of the collapsible type and is formed from a rubber receptacle of a length to project forwardly from the lamp 31. The reservoir 35 extends into the opening 20 and opposes the opening 10. That portion of the reservoir which opposes the opening 10 is made of hard rubber to provide for wear when the reservoir is collapsed for the purpose of filling, and it is collapsed through the me dium of a flat instrument as indicated at 36 in Figure 5, which is extended through the opening 10. In cross section, the reservoir is segmental in contour, see Figure 4, and the ink within the reservoir is indicated'at 37. The forward end of the reservoir 35 is fluted, as at 38, and attached to said forward end is an ink conducting tube consisting of a forward portion 39, mounted in the sleeve 22 and a curved rear portion 40 which projects from the rear end of the sleeve 22 and extends into the forward end of the reservoir 35 and is connected thereto, as at 41. The portion 39 of the ink conducting tube is secured to the sleeve 22 by the hold-fast devices 42. Mounted in and projecting from the portion 39 of the ink conducting tube is the pen point 43.

hen the light circuit is closed the cap 7 is in engagement with the terminal 13 and the rear end of the plug 31 is in engagement with the terminal 34. If the cap 7 is shifted from engagement with terminal 13 or the plug 30 from engagement with the terminal 34, the lamp circuit is opened. hen the pen is used during the day, the cap 7 is shifted from engagement with the terminal 13 so that the lamp circuit will be open. hen filling the pen, a tapered filling tube is employed and which is indicated at 44, Figure 2. The rear end of the tube 14 is formed integral with a ring 50 provided with a finger piece 51. When filling, the rear end of the tube 44 is mounted on the sleeve 22, after which the reservoir must be compressed twice in order to fill it. the first compression the pen end is turned up and the ink is shaken down. This action brings the remaining air to the top. When the reservoir is compressed again all airis forced out and with the tube 40 inserted in an ink supply the reservoir will fill up when pressure is removed therefrom so that it can expand. After the reservoir has been filled, the finger piece 51 provides for the removal of the tube 44 so that the fingers will not become soiled from ink.

The lamp circuit is from batterv 12, terminal 13, rear end part 2, intermediate part 1, forward end part 3, carrier, lug 21, arm 27, lamp holder, plug 30, terminal 34 to battery 12.

As the ink reservoir and lamp holder are mounted within the carrier, the latter can After which frictionally secures thelamp holder in position.

A protecting cap 52 is employed when] the pen is not used and which frictionally.

engages'with the end part 3 of the body portion of the pen and abuts against the bead 11. See Figure 2.

The carrier provides means for quickly closing the lamp circuit when desired, due to the fact that the carrier can be conveniently shifted inwardly in the forward end part 3 of the body portion for the purpose of bringing the inner end of the plug 31 in engagement with the terminal 34. The peripheral threads of the carrier and the threads 9 of the forward end part 3 couple the carrier to the body portion of the pen. The normal position of the lamp holder, as well as the battery, is as shown in Figure 2. As the lamp 31 is threadedly connected to the lamp holder it can be removed from the carrier without removing the lamp holder.

It is thought that the many advantages of a fountain pen as set forth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is 1. A pen barrel comprising a body portion, a battery arranged therein, a carrier extending in and lengthwise adjustable with respect to said battery and permanently spaced therefrom, a spring controlled lam holder mounted in the carrier and provide with a lamp normally spaced from the bat te ry, a retaining member mounted in the carrier for said lamp holder, and said carrier and holder having coacting means arranged within the carrier for shifting the lamp holder against the action of its controlling spring to electrically contact the lamp with the battery to close the lamp circuit when the carrier is adjusted inwardly with respect to said body portion.

2. A pen barrel comprising a body portion, a battery arranged therein and in electrical contact therewith, an adjustable carrier extending in and threadedly engaging with said body portion and spaced from said battery, an inwardly extending lug formed integral with the carrier, a lamp holder mounted in the carrier and provided with an arm opposing said lug and further provided with a controlling spring bearing:

against said battery, a lam plug carried by said holder and adapted w en the carrier is shifted to electrically contact with the batarm opposing said lug and further provided 'witha controlling spring bearing against said battery, a lamp plug carried by said holder and adapted when the carrier is shifted to electrically contact with the battery to close a light circuit, a lamp carried by said plug, said lug and arm providing means for shifting the'plug to electrically contact with the battery when the carrier is shifted inwardly, and said body portion provided with means for breaking the contact thereof with said battery.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

JOHN J. DEVINE. 

